You
will complete a written assignment in which analyze the “mind” of a well-known
offender from each of the theoretical perspectives. Some examples of interesting
ones: Aileen Wuornos, Dennis Rader, John Wayne Gacy, Harold Shipman.
You must describe the offender’s crime(s), provide biographical data, and
discuss and analyze the offender’s history and criminal actions and behaviors
within the context of each of the major psychological/neurobiological theories
presented (behavioral, psychoanalytic, mental illness [i.e., schizophrenia,
psychopathy, paraphilic disorder, and other], and neurobiological), along with
relevant psychosocial factors in the offender’s background which may have
contributed to the development of their behavior. When writing about the
offender some subsections may not have solid evidence, you must apply the
knowledge you have as to why this might have resulted in what they did. For
example if your offender was abused, could this may have resulted in
neurological issues or brain damage and what that may have led to. Think
outside the box. Infer and analyse with evidence to back up your opinion. Biographical
and offense data may be obtained via textbooks, “true crime” novels, scientific
journal articles, court records, periodicals (e.g., Time magazine or articles
from bona fide news outlets). Internet sources (e.g., Crime Library) may be
used SPARINGLY (i.e., limited to only ONE of your 15 sources) and only with
permission from the professor. Data are to be incorporated into the text for
the purposes of supporting/refuting each theory (i.e., not simply just to tell
the offender’s life story). Theoretical concepts, however, should be based upon
information retrieved from scholarly sources (i.e., textbooks and journal
articles). A MINIMUM of 15 separate sources should be used one of which has to
be Schug and Fradella,(2015) The important thing to consider when choosing an
offender is to find one that interests you, and about which you would like to
learn more. The more you are sincerely curious about your research, the more
enjoyable it will be for you, and the better your eventual paper will be.
Looking at it the other way, if you find your topic superficial and boring,
then I probably will too. Refer to Aamodt and colleagues (2003)—an excellent
comprehensive bibliography of books on serial, mass, and spree killers—for possible
offender topics and source material. Each of the following sections and
subsections must be covered in your paper in order to be eligible for full
credit. Organize your paper with headings and subheadings using the following
format (note page length requirements, which are MINIMUM in most cases, and
when summed do not meet the page length requirement of the total paper): Section/subsection:
Introduction 1 – 2 pages MAXIMUM – Brief relevant biographical information,
crime description(s), Homicide classification by victims, type, and style (FBI)
Approx. 0.5 – 1 page, Motivational typology of multiple murder (Fox &
Levin, 2012) Approx. 0.5 – 1 page Behavioral theories 2 pages MINIMUM – INCLUDING
Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning, Social learning (Bandura),
Psychoanalytic theories 3 pages MINIMUM – Ego psychology (Freud) – Self
psychology (Kohut) – Object relations (Klein) – Attachment theory (Bowlby) –
Psychoanalytic theories of crime Mental illness 8 pages MINIMUM – Schizophrenia
and other psychotic disorders – Psychopathy – Paraphilic disorders – One other
DSM-IV/DSM-5 mental disorder Neurobiological theories Approx. 0.5 – 1 page –
Head injury – Structural/functional deficits (e.g., prefrontal cortex, limbic
system) Psychosocial theories 1 page Conclusion Approx. 0.5 – 1 page. The paper
must be between 20 and 25 pages long (not including references) and be in APA
format. This includes—but is not limited to—being doublespaced and in Times New
Roman, 12-point font, using APA style referencing. DO NOT RELY ON MSWORD.
MSWord may incorrectly devise reference lists. Writing assignments will be
graded on the following criteria: organization, clarity, grammar, use of
outside sources and course materials, content (application of theory and use of
examples), and proper APA style.
